RIGHT TO THE CHIN

Atlanta Man Needs Money For 147th Serpentine Belt

An Atlanta man “here for the weekend” who often frequents the Republic Parking lot adjacent to Buehler’s Market on Market street, needs money for what residents say is his 147th serpentine belt.

“They just keep breakin’,” says the man, who wishes to remain anonymous. “I’m here from Atlanta for the weekend, and the mechanic says a new serpentine belt will cost me $17. Can you help me out?”

“It’s a real shame,” says Sandy Williams, a Chattanooga native, who says she’s been helping the man with money for serpentine belts since 1997. “Can you believe the bad luck that some people have? He might want to think about getting another car. He’s always putting money into it just to keep it running. I think the people who sold him that car should be ashamed for ripping him off like that.”

Williams says she’s starting to get concerned about the man’s health.
“I don’t know, but I think his car troubles are really starting to get to him. The last time I saw him, it looked like he hadn’t eaten in a long time. I know how stressful car problems can be. I’ve been there, myself.”

Another area resident, Dave Paul, echoes Williams’ sentiments.

“I hate it for the guy,” he says. “I’ve never actually seen his car, but from what he tells me, it goes through serpentine belts like crazy. I offered him a ride back to his car one time, but he told me he was cool, and that he could just walk back over to it. He said that his car was real close by, a couple of blocks away near the interstate. I hope that, one day, he can finally return to his home in Atlanta.”